Nut-lock.



Patented Nov. 4, I902.

\ J. w. H. CANNON.

NUT LUCK.

(Application filed Mar. 3, 1902.)

(No Model.)-

' Mum Ca/zzlw 12.

qxh cumoea STATES PATENT Enron.

JAMES W. H. CANNON, OF ORANGEBURG, SOUTH CAROLINA.

NUT-LOCK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of V I etters Iatint No. 712,905, datedNovember 4, 1902.

Application filed March 3, 190g.

Orangeburg, in the county of Orangeburg and State of South Carolina,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Nut- Locks; and Ido hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exactdescription of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in theart to which it appertains to make and use the same. 7

This invention has relation to improvements in nut-looks, and has forits object the production of simple, durable, and efficient means forholding-a nut upon a bolt' against casual retrograde rotation.

The main purpose of the invention is to provide a nut-lock in which theparts are so constructed as to permit of the nut being turned up whenthe parts become loosened by reason of wear without the necessity ofdetaching any of the operative parts.

The invention consists of certain features of construction andcombination and arrangement of parts, as will be hereinafter more fullydescribed, and particularly pointed-"out in the appended claims.

A practical embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanyingdrawings, in which-- Figure 1 is aperspective View of a bolt and nutequipped with my invention. Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal sectiono'f-the same. Fig. 3 is an end view looking toward the outer face of thenut. Fig. 4 is a detail section through the nut and theshank or stem ofone of the pawls. Fig. 5 is a plan view of the ring or washer.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, the numeral 1represents a bolt the shank or stem of which is provided along itsthreaded portion with diametrically opposite longitudinal grooves 22,and3 represents a nut which is adapted to turn "upon the threadedportion of the bolt inthe usual way.

In carrying my invention into practice I provide a ring or washer 14:,which is adapted to be fitted upon the bolt in position to bear againstthe outer face of the nut and is provided with tongues 5 to project intothe grooves 2 and hold said ring or Washer against rotation. The ring orwasher is applied and Serial No. 96,478. (No model.)

removed by sliding it longitudinally along the bolt, in which movementthe tongues 5 traverse the grooves 2, and it is formed on its peripherywith a series of ratchet-teeth 6 and a series of spur or stop teeth 7.

Cooperating with the teeth 6 and 7 are detents 8 8, located uponopposite sides of the nut 3, one of Whichhas a pawl 9 to engage theteeth and each a spring-plate stem 10. This stem is enlarged anddovetailed at its rear or inner end, as shown at 11, to enter adovetailed groove 12, formed in the side of the bolt, and is formed withseats or shoulders 13: to receive or to be engaged by projections let,formed by displacing a portion of the metal of the bolt, whereby thestem is held from longitudinal movementin said dovetailed groove and issecurely retained in position. The forward portion of the stem of thecatch 8has sufficient elasticity to normally hold the pawl 9'inengagement with the teeth on the toothed washer or ring and the stems ofboth catches have sufficient elasticity to permit of said catches beingforced back in fitting the ring upon and detaching it from the bolt. Theringwhen fitted in position for operatipn is held from outwarddisplacement by detents 15, formed upon the free ends of the stems 10,said detents being provided with straight or square shoulders to bearupon the outer face of. the ring and prevent outward movement thereof,and beveled inner faces 16 to permit of the ring being slipped upon thebolt under pressure.

In applying the ring to the bolt the ring is first slipped on the outerend of the bolt, with the tongues 5 slatted in the grooves 2, and thensaid ring is forcibly pressed inward to bear against the beveled faces16, whereby the free ends of the pawls are forced outward to allow thering to move behind the detents 15 and then resume their normal positionto bring said detents in front of the ring to hold the latter fromslipping outward on the bolt when it is desired to disengage the ring,as is likely under someconditions. The free ends of the detent membersare forced back, leaving the ring free to be slipped off. If desired,the catch or detent 8 may be inflexible and integral with the nut, thecatch having sufficient flexibility to permit of the ring being appliedand removed.

ICO

In operation after the nut has been screwed home the toothed ring isplaced in position for use and is held from rotation by the tongues 5and from outward movement by the detents 8 8, while the pawl 9, engagingone of the teeth of the sets 6 or 7, holds the nut against retrograderotation. It is well known that under the vibration produced by thepassage of trains over the rails the parts are subjected to wear, whichin time loosens the fastenings notwithstanding the fact that the nutshave been rigidly held from movementr When looseness thus occurs, aretightening of the parts by the further advance of the nuts on thebolts is required. To enable this to be quickly and conveniently donewithout the necessity of removing any of the parts, I so place thetoothed ring on the belt that the pawl 9 is free to traverse theinclined faces of the teeth, when the nut is screwed farther on thebolt, thus enabling the nut to be tightened up. When, however, the'pawlreaches the teeth 7, the latter will prevent further movement of the nutin the direction of screwing it farther on the bolt, while the squareface of the adjacent tooth 6 will hold the nut against retrograderotation.

It willrbe noted from the construction of this look that it is adaptedfor bolts having either right or left hand threads by simply invertingthe washer, thus rendering it unnecessary to have a separate washer fordifferent cuts of thread.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is 1. In anut-lock, the combination of a bolt, a nut thereon, a toothed washerheld from rotation on the bolt, spring-actuated detents on the nut toprevent outward displacement of the washer, and a pawl carried by one ofsaid detents to engage the teeth of the washer, substantially asdescribed.

7 '2. In a nut-lock, the combination of a bolt, a nut thereon providedwith a dovetailed groove in its side, a washer held from rotation on thebolt, a spring-detent having a stem formed with a dovetailed portionfitted in said groove and holding the washer against outwarddisplacement and engaging the same to hold the not against retrograderotation, and projections on the nut holding the detent seated in thegroove, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JAMES W. H. CANNON.

GENEVIEVE MATTHEWS.

